I'm sure that some of you remember this thing. It was GM's entry in the 2005 Super Lap Battle, then known as the Super Street time attack challenge. John Heinracy piloted this factory GM supported vehicle which was built with mostly off-the-shelf parts and proceeded to kick everyone's ass. This is a perfect example to show that when GM wants to do something right, they suceed. The rest of the time they build a fleet of undesireable cars that put them in financial ruin.
This vehicle is interesting to me for several reasons. First, what ever happened to it? Really, its quite a machine. Regardless of how you feel about American cars, reading the
spec sheet clearly shows that it is simple and well engineered. What this means is a reliable vehicle that is fast with correct driver inputs. If it were allowed to compete today (we'll get to that in a minute) it would be a force to be reconed with especially since it toppled the top teams of the day, which included Signal Auto's R34 Skyline.
The second reason the vehicle is interesting to me, is because the popular consensus is that it caused lots of people to be butt hurt, and forced the "no nitrous" rule in most time attack series. On paper and without the nitrous, the vehicle made a claimed 264 horsepower, but with the nitrous it made 344. It wasn't event a huge shot, but a big enough one to make the car competative. Apparently, since this vehicle destroyed so many of the other vehicles in that time attack, the organizers banned the usage of nitrous afterwards.
This begs the question however as to why nitrous oxide is not legal in either the Super Lap Battle or the Redline TA series. I'm sure their arguments stem from the classic "nitrous isn't real horsepower" or "nitrous is cheating", but in reality using a nitrous system and setting it up correctly, as well as using the correct accessory parts to fully utilize it is just as financially and labor intensive as a supercharer or turbo. The reason this topic is even on my mind, is because of how un-competative my AE86 would be considering the class its supposed to be in. In reality, my car should be competing aganist Integras, Civics, Sentras, and other 1.6-2.0L naturally aspirated vehicles. Unfortunately those are all in the FF class. Since I'd be running against cars with 50-300% more power, nitrous would be a way for me to stay competative.
The Cobalt is long gone and with GM's current financial state, probably won't be back to compete any time soon. Please re-consider your rule books gentlemen.
These three photos are basically what I found semi-exciting at SEMA. Overall a pretty boring show, and indicative of the state of the automotive industry right now. Formula D is taking cars to the next level financially, teams are struggling and cutting drivers, and good people are left without support. Kinda of sad really. 
At least the parties were fun. Like and idiot I forgot to bring my camera to the Sony/Gran Turismo party, but Ludacris performed with special appearances by Dave Navarro and Tommy Lee. Free drinks too! Thanks to Carter Jung and the other Korean Steve for hooking it up.
Name: Mark English
Name: Alex Villareal
